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 Jazz lovers & star chasers |
Calle De La Amnistía 32 Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 547 0986 |
This is the social equivalent of a Swiss army penknife: Cocktail-bar-café-exhibition gallery. You name it, they do it. Regulars are one way or another related to cinema, theatre or music along with the typical hangers-on. This is definitely an original spot. The ambience is generally relaxed and relaxing, though there's a tiny dance floor to shake your booty on if you so desire. It's definitely a charming place and very recommended. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cocktails in a posh setting |
Calle de Hermosilla 10 Madrid, Madrid 28001 Spain +34 91 431 4133 |
This bar opened in 1955 to provide a relaxed atmosphere where an upmarket clientele could come and enjoy elaborate cocktails in peace, and it has not changed much since then. The drink list offers more than 100 different cocktails to choose from, including the Balmoral, Bullet Shot and ubiquitous Bloody Mary. It has won Newsweek's 'Best Bar In Europe' prize twice, in 1987 and 1988. It is strangely decorated in Tudor style with red and ochre colours dominating the walls, floors, tables and chairs. Nothing so tasteless as background music will disturb your sense of tranquility in here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Flamenco vibes and more |
Echegaray, 19 Madrid, Madrid 28014 Spain +34 91 420 2184 |
You'll have to push your way gently through to the back to get a space at weekends when it fills up to overflowing. Downstairs you'll hear some wild flamenco. Upstairs is a bit more sedate and attracts an older age group. The decor throughout features bullfighting paraphernalia and photos of celebrities. You're sure to enjoy the lively atmosphere and friendly clientele. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Order whatever you fancy |
Huertas, 74 Madrid, Madrid 28014 Spain +34 91 429 3352 |
A multifunctional bar where you can order from the wide range of breakfasts, snacks and meals accompanied by a good selection of coffees and wines. At night, people come for the cocktails and the pleasant background music. Prices are pretty reasonable. A ración (large helping) of chorizo sausage costs EUR2.25, any of their great salads, EUR5.40, and tiny homemade tuna pastries are EUR0.90. It also serves traditional Asturian delicacies, like Cabrales cheese (smelly but delicious), wild boar chorizo sausage, pulgas (mini-sandwiches) and fresh bread. The designer decor is tastefully done and the service is friendly. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: M.Emilia Ciccone |
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Charming café with good coffee |
Unión, 1 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 542 5563 |
As it's located next door to the Teatro Real (Opera House), it's not surprising that this café is popular with the musicians who play there. You can often walk in off the street and enjoy organized or spontaneous concerts here. Although it opened in 1981, it has an old-fashioned interior with a late 19th-century feel. There are regular art exhibitions on the walls, mainly photographs but also paintings and ceramics. The management organizes a photography competition in June every year. As for the clientele, you'll find young people here during the week and older people at weekends. It's an ideal venue for a coffee or a cocktail in relaxed and sophisticated surroundings before or after an opera performance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Top-notch flamenco shows |
Calle de Cañizares 10 Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 369 0496 / +34 91 369 3394 http://www.casapatas.com/ |
With five different shows on per week, this is undoubtedly one of the capital´s most important flamenco clubs. It attracts first-class performers and true aficionados. All the most famous stars of today have passed through here at one time or another. Performances start around midnight and you can make a real night out of it by coming for dinner as well. The restaurant specializes in wholesome Spanish home-cooking with dishes like Rabo de Toro (oxtail stew). Average price per person: EUR27.04. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mladena Novakovic |
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Tasty Cuban treats |
Calle de Claudio Coello 41 Madrid, Madrid 28001 Spain +34 91 575 8279 / +34 91 576 4735 http://www.elcentrocubano.com/ |
You can hang out at the cocktail bar and listen to a pianist playing live before heading in for dinner. Try the traditional Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) with black beans, the Picadillo Criollo (Creole mincemeat), fried banana and the fresh guava desserts for an authentic Cuban experience. There's live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The combination of sensual music, friendly service, photos and posters on the walls depicting this tropical island paradise will make you want to buy a one-way ticket to Havana. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Best cocktails in town |
Calle Gran Vía 12 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 532 6737 |
Widely considered as Madrid's most sophisticated cocktail lounge during the 1940s and 1950s, it attracted famous drinkers like Hemingway and Ava Gardner. The atmosphere still retains a flavour of those glorious years and the photos on the walls are proof of its illustrious past. Despite the glass front that overlooks Gran Vía, the curtains make sure that you're discreetly hidden from the passers-by as you sip your elaborately prepared cocktail. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Artur Kwiatkowski |
 Photo: Ann D. |
 Photo: Pablo Albacete |
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Swanky cocktail bar |
Calle de la Reina 16 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 532 2826 |
This bar has style, class and superb interior decor. The atmosphere exudes old-fashioned elegance and culture. It's located behind the famous Chicote bar on Gran Vía. In the old days, there used to be a 'secret' passage connecting both bars, which was used by 'gentlemen' to rendezvous with their lovers. It's said that Ava Gardner used it to give Frank Sinatra the slip when she went in search of new adventures. There's a lot of history here. If only the walls could speak! You're sure to want to try one of the tempting cocktails on offer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cuban restaurant, cocktails, live music |
Alberto Alcocer, 32 Madrid, Madrid 28036 Spain +34 91 457 0879 |
An authentic Cuban restaurant that specialises in traditional dishes like Ropa Vieja (shredded beef or pork), Black Beans, Creole Tamales, Strips of Roast Suckling Pig with Yucca, Lobster and Guayaba Compote. The wine list is limited, but what they do have is excellent. There's a distinguished, colonial feel to the place, the staff are Cuban and the atmosphere is lively and good humoured. By day it fills with office workers and professionals, but after midnight it turns into more of a trendy cocktail bar where you can savour daiquiris and mojitos and dance to live music. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cool art deco ambience |
Reina, 12 Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain +34 91 523 3106 |
A stylish cocktail bar that's worth a visit for its art deco interior and 1940s New York style mezzanine alone, never mind the cocktails. You can choose from a list of over 50 classics, including a Gin Fizz or a Manhattan. Owner, Fernando del Diego, worked at Madrid´s most famous cocktail bar - Chicote - for 32 years before setting this place up. It attracts an upmarket clientele in their 30s and 40s. You can expect excellent service. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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More Than Just a Restaurant |
C/ Nuncio 19 Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 366 25 91 http://www.enerestaurante.com/ |
Ene is a restaurant, but also a nice place to meet your friends while taking a good cocktail and, something rather new in Spain, it's a place where you can have brunch on Sundays, lying on a tatami and surrounded by live music thanks to their great DJs. This place is divided in two floors: the first one includes the bar and the second one the restaurant, both decorated in a minimalist, Japanese way. From tapas to a select "a la cart" dishes, their cuisine is a mixture of Mediterranean, Japanese, American and Catalonian influences, and the result is always incredible. -Angeles Fernández Review © 2007, Wcities |
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It's like being in the tropics |
Argumosa, 4 Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 527 2763 |
It adds an appealingly exotic ethnic dimension to life on Calle Argumosa with its Caribbean, Cuban and salsa rhythms and its long list of tropical cocktails and delicious freshly squeezed fruit juices. Enjoy them shaken or stirred on the outdoor terrace in summer because there's not much room to sit inside. Close your eyes and you'd believe you were in Havana. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Comedians, singer-songwriters & salsa |
Calle de Galileo 100 Madrid, Madrid 28015 Spain +34 91 534 7557 / +34 91 534 7558 http://www.salagalileogalilei.com |
A long-established venue for live acts, this club acts as a showcase for stand-up comics and singer-songwriters. Recently, it has become popular with the Salsa crowd at weekends. Large groups are well catered for and you only have to pay a cover charge when there is a performance on, although that is most nights. For snacks, you can choose from croissants, Empanada (meat-filled pastry) or Quiche, and there is the usual range of beers, wines, soft drinks and mixed drinks on offer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Xavi Sickboy4 |
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Best live bands |
Calle del Comandante Zorita 8 Madrid 28020 Spain +34 91 554 9437 |
It has won a loyal following amongst jazz fans who come regularly for the first-class live sessions scheduled on Monday through Wednesday nights. At weekends, you can hear a wider range of live music when regular acts (Jaime Marqués, Los Hobbies, All Together Band, and Canal Street Band) play their interpretations of Brazilian styles and hits of the 1960s. It is a great place to enjoy a drink or two and some good music. Your first drink costs EUR0.60 extra during live shows. Normally, mixed drinks cost EUR6.01. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Enjoy A Caipirinha? |
Calle de las Huertas, 55 Madrid 28014 Spain +34 91 429 78 61 |
Trocha is commonly referred to as "el lugar de la Caipirinha", as this cozy space, although not very big, offers one of the best caipirinhas in Madrid. But if you don't drink alcohol, don't worry! You can drink a caipirinha, but instead of rum they will add Aquarius to the recipe! Trocha is decorated with warm colors and pictures on the walls, as it is very usual to find different photo exhibitions displayed around the bar. Located in the Barrio de las Letras, this area of Madrid was once home to many famous Spanish writers some years or even centuries ago. -Angeles Fernández Review © 2007, Wcities |